Leave Preconceived Notions behind at Sioux Falls Living Library

The saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” That holds especially true for a Living Library in Sioux Falls on Saturday October 14.

Compassionate Sioux Falls is spearheading the event entitled “Basics of Belief” which will have people act as the “books” with the goal of explaining their faith or belief system when people ask them questions.

Valerie Shonewill of Sioux Falls Human Relations is excited for the event which will do its best to break through stereotypes from people’s own testimony.

“You get the story of their experience from Judaism to Islam. Some of the ‘books’ are (representing) religions and some are not.”

An event like this can expand understanding of other’s beliefs and Shonewill said some myth busting can also occur.

“(A presentation at City Hall sparked a conversation) about Asatru and links with white supremacy. People’s misconceptions about other belief systems is exactly what the Living Library is for. You meet someone, you have a conversation and you see that not all people who believe this (tenet) are a certain way. It’s an open dialogue where you get a broader understanding and you build a sense of community rather than animosity.”

Among the other topics to be discussed are Atheism, Christian Evangelism, Druid, Oglala Lakota, Polytheism and Wicca.

Queen City Bakery at 324 East 8th Street will host the event which starts at 2:00 PM and lasts until 4:00 PM. There is no charge to attend the event.